Dark Soul by Aleksandr Voinov

I read a warning about this novel in another review saying “if you are not a lover of M/M novel, steer away from this one”… I think I should counter this warning with this one “if you ARE a lover of “traditional” M/M novel, steer away from this one”, since Dark Soul series is far, far away from you traditional M/M pairing, so much that, I would probably remove the M/M tag for it; maybe bisexual, more probably gender bending, but M/M is too constrictive.

The story is for sure engaging and adrenalinic; you have no time to take a breath and your characters are moving so much, and developing so deeply, that you can say they are completely different people at the end, especially Stefano. I think his development surprise the reader as much as the character himself. Probably the feeling of being fast paced is due to the fact this is actually a collection of stories, and so it’s like being on a rollercoast, up to the apex, down to the final and again up as soon as the second story starts and then again and again.

Another element adding to the fast-pacing component is the multi-country setting, many countries will enter the set, some of them lived by the characters, some of them part of their culture.

This is not a story about two men, Silvio and Stefano; for sure you need to add in the mix Donata, Stefano’s wife, and I arise to the level of main character also Battista, he is like a puppeteer, and for that he is as important as the other.

Sincerely I’m not sure what has to be my advice to who is not reading the collection but the separate stories; I enjoyed having the chance to read them all, and my perception of the whole story is different due to that. I suppose you can read and enjoy them also as standalone, not knowing what will be the final closure for these characters, as I said, apex and downfall for each story is enclosed in them, but my suggestion is to give a shot to the entire collection if you have the chance.

http://riptidepublishing.com/titles/collections/dark-soul-complete-collection

Amazon: Dark Soul Collection
Amazon Kindle: Dark Soul (Vol 1)
Amazon Kindle: Dark Soul (Vol 2)
Amazon Kindle: Dark Soul (Vol 3)
Amazon Kindle: Dark Soul (Vol 4)
Amazon Kindle: Dark Soul (Vol 5)
Paperback: 286 pages
Publisher: Riptide Publishing (December 12, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1937551318
ISBN-13: 978-1937551315

Reading List: http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle

The Doctor's Wife (2012) directed by Jonathan Duffy

A young gay doctor decides to move from the city to the country to further his career. His partner, an ex-actor takes a camera along with them and films their experience.

Director: Jonathan Duffy

Writer: Jonathan Duffy

Stars: Jonathan Duffy and Vincent Cornelisse

Awards: Canada International Film Festival, 2012, Won Award of Excellence, Documentary Competition, Jonathan Duffy (director) (Just Off Centre Productions (production company)

Genres: Documentary | Biography | Comedy | Drama

Storyline: The film began production when Dr Vincent Cornelisse decided to leave urban Brisbane and move to country Queensland in order to further his career. However, Vincent wouldn't do this without his partner, Jonathan Duffy. Neither of the two had ever lived in a country town and were excited about the scene change but nervous about how they would be received because they are a gay couple. A friend jokingly suggested that Jonathan should film their experience in case they were murdered. Jonathan decided to do this, not because he thought they would be in danger, because he believed that it was going to be a positive and enlightening journey. The Doctor's Wife explores their journey through Jonathan's eyes.

@IMDb
@Amazon: The Doctor's Wife (2012)



Cast overview:
Jonathan Duffy ... Himself
Vincent Cornelisse ... Himself


Jonathan & Vincent

Gay Times Naked Issue 2013 by Dylan Rosser

Dylan Rosser, one of the most popular and highly regarded photographers of the male nude, has been hinting for months that his fans are in for an enormous surprise. It’s finally time for the reveal.

For the first time ever, Gay Times Magazine is dedicating an entire issue (available 22 January) to nude photography, but even more importantly, all were shot by Dylan Rosser himself. Never before has an entire issue of the magazine been cleared of all other features in order to celebrate the style and beauty of just one photographer!


Cast of 9-5 The Musical (dancers/actors)

A passionate adoration for his subject matter is not the only reason Dylan was given such a unique opportunity. Throughout his career, Dylan has stressed his interest in nudes over fashion, the opposite of what most magazines are willing to highlight. When Gay Times Magazine made the decision to showcase only nudes, without any specific nod to fashion, Dylan Rosser was an obvious choice. After all, he has photographed the male nude for over a decade and 2011 saw the release of his third coffee-table book, simply titled “Naked,” a bestseller since its release. The “Naked” photographer shooting the naked issue of Gay Times Magazine is perfect symmetry.

The intention was to give the images a polished look that is standard for most female fashion and glamour magazines. “None of us could find a reason why men did not deserve the same magic wand treatment. The photographs here are very much in keeping with my personal preference for polished and glossy images”, says Dylan. Makeup artist Evan Huang and assistant Joe McCormick were also on board to help achieve the final look.


Class A (Boy band)

The subjects photographed include a stunning array of actors, singers and even Olympians to stretch over a massive 102 pages. The hard work and long hours involved in the project where worthwhile, especially knowing that this is Gay Times Magazine’s charity issue, this year benefiting the Terrence Higgins Trust, the largest HIV and sexual health charity in the UK.

GT is available internationally every four weeks in all good newsagents and supermarkets, as well as digitally (www.gaytimes.co.uk)

The full list of people taking part is as follows: Ashley McKenzie (Olympian), Chris Mears (Olympian), Luke Campbell (Olympian), Kieron Richardson and PJ Brennan (Hollyoaks actors), Leon Lopez (actor), Ben McGregor (actor), Arron Lowe (actor/model), Joseph Whelan (singer), BalletBoyz (dancers), Jack Jefferson (actor), Dominic Thornburn (actor), Ben and Sam Allen (Playing It Straight), Scott Mason (Big Brother), Class A (Boy band), Craig Daniel Adams (actor), Kieron Knight (adult actor), Mitch Marion (Playing It Straight), Cast of 9-5 The Musical (dancers/actors)

( Jack Jefferson (actor) )

GAY TIMES: GT (Gay Times) was established in magazine format in 1974 as HIM Magazine and was the UK’s first paid-for monthly magazine aimed at gay men. Over the years many people have made their gay press debut on the cover of GT including: Sir Ian McKellen, Elton John, Kylie Minogue, JLS, Matt Smith, The Wanted, Russell Tovey, Olly Murs, Jedward, Liza Minnelli, Graham Norton, Paul O’Grady, Julian Clary and many, many more.

TERRENCE HIGGINS TRUST: Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s largest HIV and sexual health charity with centres across England, Scotland and Wales. We're here to provide information and advice about HIV and sexual health and offer a range of services including sexual health checks, counselling and support groups. We campaign for a world where people with HIV live healthy lives, free from prejudice and discrimination, and we promote good sexual health as a right and reality for all.

( Chris Mears (Olympian) )

( Luke Campbell (Olympian) )

( Ashley McKenzie (Olympian) )

( Kieron Richardson and PJ Brennan (Hollyoaks actors) )

Out of the Past by Glenda Poulter

This is the story of Emma and Mandy; if this sentence sounds strange, giving that Mandy is for most of the novel a second stage character we hear only through a phone, that was my feeling. I was really not liking much Emma at the beginning, since my idea was that she was not treating well Mandy; Emma and Mandy have a 15 years long relationship, and despite this, Emma is still hiding things to Mandy, something I relate to not trusting her, and who you can trust if not the person you love? i.e. Emma was not really in love with Mandy. I’m happy I was wrong, and what you will read, if you trust my words, is “also” the romance of Emma and Mandy.

There is a plethora of supporting characters, Beau, Peter, Genevieve, Sharon, and of course Cora Beth and Annie, but while I was intrigued by Cora Beth and Annie’s story, my heart and hope were on Emma and Mandy. Nevertheless I enjoyed this paranormal romance, how the author deals with Emma’s extra sensorial experience, must of all, I liked that everything felt realistic, even if the word could be odd in this contest: true, there is a paranormal experience, but in any case the focus remained in the very much ordinary, and contemporary, story of Emma and Mandy, with their highs and falls.

Yet another thing that intrigued me was Charleston; I have actually in mind to visit the place this same year, and coincidence was that I’m planning it right now. Reading this book gave me the push towards including the town in my trip that I needed. I cannot say if the descriptions are realistic, but I hope so, because I would like to find the same quaint feeling I had of it in the real thing.

Amazon: Out of the Past
Amazon Kindle: Out of the Past
Paperback: 244 pages
Publisher: L-Book ePublisher (August 15, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1934889997
ISBN-13: 978-1934889992

Reading List: http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle